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It is now the 18th and I have decided to move on the 21st. I have a month to month agreement so breaking lease is not an issue for me. For the past two weeks I have been constantly bothered by large rats that are not afraid to show themselves. When I first saw them I contacted my landlord's office and they said it would be taken care of. Over a week later and nothing had been done when I came home and found multiple holes in my carpet with food in them. Checked my cupboards and these rats had completely rampaged everything. They are very active at night so I have had many sleepless nights since they are constantly chewing new holes running around knocking things over and spreading the contents of my garbage can across my apartment. I am spending more money on food because I have to eat out. Plus I have to pay rent at another place for this month in order to move. I had to call two more times before the landlord came to take a look. Is it fair and are there any laws to help me if I ask for a refund on this month's rent that I already paid?
It is now the 18th and I have decided to move on the 21st. I have a month to month agreement so breaking lease is not an issue for me. For the past two weeks I have been constantly bothered by large rats that are not afraid to show themselves. When I first saw them I contacted my landlord's office and they said it would be taken care of. Over a week later and nothing had been done when I came home and found multiple holes in my carpet with food in them. Checked my cupboards and these rats had completely rampaged everything. They are very active at night so I have had many sleepless nights since they are constantly chewing new holes running around knocking things over and spreading the contents of my garbage can across my apartment. I am spending more money on food because I have to eat out. Plus I have to pay rent at another place for this month in order to move. I had to call two more times before the landlord came to take a look. Is it fair and are there any laws to help me if I ask for a refund on this month's rent that I already paid?
If you're leaving in three days time without giving notice then breaking the lease IS an issue as even on a month to month you're required to give 30 days written notice (usually, but some states require 60 days).
However, you do have ample reason to leave immediately because of the rat problem. I suggest you put your intention to leave and the reason why in writing to your LL, documenting how you contacted his office about the problem, etc. Whether you're entitled to return of your rent is a question you should take up with an attorney and you can easily find legal aid offices in your area. Good luck.
Thanks for the advice everybody. I just sent in a written notice to vacate with reasons listed. And I did mention that I might want to move earlier in the month when I first told them about the rodents. I think they are only going to refund me a pro-rated amount for the last 10 days of the month.
Call the city or county health department.
or
Hire an exterminator and "repair and deduct" (pay to have problem corrected and then deduct the cost from your rent) based on the implied warranty of habitability.
If they try and evict you sue them.
Call the city or county health department.
or
Hire an exterminator and "repair and deduct" (pay to have problem corrected and then deduct the cost from your rent) based on the implied warranty of habitability.
If they try and evict you sue them.
The OP was planning to move two days after he started the thread last month so is probably gone by now. In any event, a tenant should never pay for any repair or maintenance and deduct the expense from rent without first reading state landlord tenant laws which address such issues.
Make sure you don't accidently carry the rats with you in your boxes.
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